Dwayne Johnson - From The Rock to a Harder Place
Does the Former Wrestler Have Hollywood Longevity?
Aug 11, 2009
From Hulk Hogan to John Cena, wrestling has spawned dozens of actors and wannabes. Most find Hollywood unreceptive, their movies going straight to video and ending up in dollar bins.
Amidst the bad acting, flop films and all-around garbage, one wrestler brings style and charisma to Hollywood. He outshines his former colleagues, proving to be more lasting, bankable, and diverse than the rest.
He is The Rock, or he was The Rock. These days, Dwayne Johnson distances himself from the name and "sport" that made him famous. His flashy smile and trademark eyebrow are fixtures on movie posters and DVD covers. But as a former professional wrestler with little theatrical training, will Johnson's stardom persevere? Does he have what it takes to be the next Shwarzenegger?
A Star's Journey
After capturing the NCAA Championship as a defensive tackle with the Miami Hurricanes, Johnson was drafted into the CFL. In 1995, his football plans were derailed by a back injury. Instead, he entered the arena of sports entertainment.
Johnson began with the USWA under the pseudonym, Flex Kavanah. Coming from a wrestling lineage (father Rocky Johnson and grandfather Peter Maivia), it wasn't long before Johnson elbowed his way to the big time, entering the WWF (now WWE) in 1996. There, he portrayed the wholesome Rocky Maivia and was universally hated. His career halted, his future uncertain.
But WWE proprietor Vince McMahon recognized the advantage of being hated. Rocky Maivia transformed into The Rock, a heel whom the crowd loved to hate. His charisma and showmanship entrancing, Johnson's popularity soared, leading him to nine world championships. Though his hero/heel status changed repeatedly from 1996 to 2004, his rank amongst WWE's elite never wavered.
From the Ring to the Stage
In 1997, Johnson landed his first acting gig. Fittingly, he played his father's alter-ego, Rocky Maivia, on That 70's Show (Fox 1998-2006). The following year, Johnson earned the chance to show off his penchant for acting, hosting Saturday Night Live (NBC 1975-present). But was he ready for Hollywood?
After a trivial appearance in the obscure film Longshot (Trans Continental Pictures 2000) and a self-portrayal in the documentary, Beyond the Mat (Universal 1999), Johnson got his first break. His role in The Mummy Returns (Universal 2001) was over-hyped and over-glamorized. Johnson appeared in the opening scene only. His face was ridiculously CGI'd onto a giant scorpion for the final scenes. It was an awful performance made worse by a horrible script and artificial-looking special effects.
Nevertheless, the role bore fruit. From it came Johnson's first leading role and star status. In The Scorpion King (Universal 2002), Johnson made $5.5 million for playing the title character. The film made more than $165 million worldwide.
Reviews were lackluster, but Johnson quickly overcame them. In his follow-up outing, The Rundown (Universal 2003), he dispelled the one-trick, action hero persona. As bounty hunter Beck, Johnson displayed comedic timing. He surprised with moves that didn't necessary involve muscles, a first glimpse into his light-hearted side.
Even with decent reviews, Johnson failed to capture the return Hollywood demands of its blockbuster leads. With his next action film, Walking Tall (MGM 2004), receiving mixed reviews and grossing only $57,223,890, Johnson's days as a leading man seemed limited.
Asked to Be Cool, Johnson DIversifies
The only positive about Be Cool (MGM 2005) is Johnson's performance. As homosexual bodyguard Elliot Wilhelm, Johnson completely 180'd his macho image for something more dangerous and frightfully comedic.
After more of the usual with Doom (Universal 2005), Johnson excelled as Sean Porter in Gridiron Gang (Columbia 2006). Smartly breaking into drama with a football-themed film, Johnson showcased greater range and talent. But critics largely ignored his improvement. The movie met with moderate success.
In 2007, Johnson starred in Southland Tales (Universal 2007), but it was his role as footballer Joe Kingman in Disney's The Game Plan that finally drew in crowds. With a budget of $22 million, the film grossed more than $144,000,000 worldwide.
As Kingman, Johnson was convincing, natural and effective. He showed improved comedic ability and mass-appeal. Working opposite child actress, Madison Pettis, Johnson displayed tenderness and humility absent from earlier roles. Still, the film was dull and unoriginal; reviews were unfavorable.
The Rock No More
The Game Plan was Johnson's final role as The Rock. Since then, he starred in the action-comedy, Get Smart (Warner Bros. 2008), and the family-friendly adventure, Race to Witch Mountain (Disney 2009). In the former, Johnson memorably lip-locked the film's star, Steve Carell, further distancing himself from his tough-guy roots.
That trend will continue. The future sees Johnson as the voice of Captain Charles Baker in the animated film, Planet 51 (TriStar 2009), the lead in the family comedy, The Tooth Fairy (20th Century Fox 2010), and the lead in a not-yet-titled film based on Disney theme parks' Tomorrowland. He may also appear in Warner Bros.' live-action version of Jonny Quest.
Will Johnson return to true action? He was cast in Universal's Spy Hunter, but Cinecon.com reports that he backed out of the project. Still, there's the action drama, Faster, which shows promise in restoring Johnson's tough guy credibility. With his latest work, Johnson drifted from that which made him a star. In becoming a bona fide actor, he undermined the raw aggression, athleticism, and tenacity that captivated thousands of WWE fans.
But Johnson's still got the star-power and charisma to helm a summer blockbuster in the vein of Terminator or The Fast and the Furious To have staying power, Johnson needs to vere from the kiddy fluff. He is as good an actor as Arnold ever was, without having to explain away a foreign accent. His career could potentially equal that of Jason Statham, Vin Diesel or even Arnold.
Otherwise, Johnson's comedic shtick will get old, and he'll be begging for roles with Lorenzo Lamas and Antonio Sabato, Jr. The real crime: movie fans will be left to suffer through another John Cena film.
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